Evaluation of a Platelet Apheresis Technique for the Preparation of Leukocyte-Reduced Platelet Concentrates

Abstract

Objectives: Reduction of the white blood cell (WBC) contamination in platelet concentrates (PC) protects patients from the immunological and infectious side effects of platelet transfusion caused by WBC. This can be done either by filtration of the PC or by improved apheresis techniques that yield WBC-poor preparations. Methods: To evaluate an improved technique for platelet collection, we carried out 201 separations in 89 healthy cytapheresis donors using the new COBE Spectra leukoreduction system (LRS) and compared the results with those of standard dual-needle separations obtained with the same cell separator. Results: A small but statistically significant difference was found in platelet collection efficiency in comparison with the standard non-LRS software procedures (LRS: 52.6 vs. 56.3% for the reference). However, median WBC contamination was only 0.01 × 10⁶ WBC per LRS product. This significant (p < 0.0005) improvement corresponds to a 10-fold reduction of WBC as compared with the standard dual-needle technique. Conclusions: The COBE Spectra LRS system produced PCs with a platelet collection efficiency nearly equal to previous techniques and with a residual WBC content satisfying even the most stringent criteria for WBC-depleted blood components. As this purity is achieved without important platelet loss, conventional fiber filtration no longer seems necessary in this kind of PC.

Comparison of plateletpheresis concentrates produced with Spectra LRS version 5.1 and LRS Turbo version 7.0 cell separators

“…In our series, the CE observed in Group B procedures is similar to those CEs reported in studies that compared previous COBE Spectra releases or different cell separators, 7,12,21 though one separator (Amicus, Baxter, Deerfield, IL) showed a slightly better CE in some studies 10,22 . Nevertheless, these latter studies did not report if a concomitant plasma collection was performed, which would have resulted in a higher rate of blood draw and better subsequent platelet yield.…”

Impact of different hold time before addition of platelet additive solution on the in vitro quality of apheresis platelets

“…Counting one grid of the Nageotte chamber, the limit of detection is 0.1 WBC per µL. When no WBCs were found, calculations were performed as if 1 WBC was seen in the volume actually counted 12‐16 …”

Evaluation of concurrent collection of in‐line filtered platelets and packed red blood cells by multicomponent apheresis with three last‐generation apparatuses

“…Apart from efficiency and donor comfort, apheresis systems should guarantee consistent product quality, particularly in terms of leucoreduction. While RBCs are filtered for leucoreduction in all systems, leucoreduction of PLTs is performed either by filtration or by physical separation, utilizing different cell densities of PLTs and mononuclear cells [5,6]. The white blood cell (WBC) purity obtained by the latter techniques is reported to be more consistent than that obtained upon filtration [7].…”